ALTe’s Electrified Vehicles Stand To Save Fuel (and Money)

Last week in Indianapolis we had opportunity to drive a Ford E-350 van converted to a plug-in series hybrid by ALTe while learning also of the company’s plans for the alternative energy fleet market. Before retrofitting a 2.0-liter Ford Focus four-cylinder engine/generator, two Remy motors, and 21.6-kwh A123 Systems battery pack, the Ford got around 7 mpg in real world driving. It however now gets 26 mpg with engine running, or burns absolutely no gas for 22 miles on battery power. That makes this humble-looking 10,000 GVW test mule one of the most-efficient trucks of its type anywhere, and unlike a pure battery powered vehicle, this one, not unlike a Chevy Volt, has no “range anxiety.” You may recall the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based ALTe as one of the rising stars among alternative tech transportation companies that was getting a fair amount of press a couple of years ago...